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' Inventor A tiorney Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STAT FRANK J. WERNER- OT PORTAGETOWIISHIP. BQRTEB QGUNTY, INDIANA FURNACE.

Application filed February 21, 1925,, Serial No. 10,803.

My invention relates to improvements in soaking pit furnaces, and: it more especially comprises the features pointed out in the annexed claims.

The purpose ofmy invention is to so construct furnaces of this type that the rails on which the cover structureis rolled onto and off from the furnace are protected against destruction; thatavoids the wear and tear of the walls by closely fitting sliding covers; that avoids the warping and. misalignment of spaced apart rails; that eliminatesthe shock to furnace walls when covers are dropped vertically into. place when overthe furnace opening; that provides a unitary rail structure which comprises a hollowbase and hollow tread portions integrally united therewith; that supports the connected rail structure independently ofthe furnace walls so that whatever changes may take place in the alignment of the walls during successive heats such changes will not be transferred to my tracks; that provides compensating means for effectually sealing the varying openings between the top edges of the pit walls and the underside of the cover to pre vent the escape of-fia-ming gases which inordi-narypract-icesoon warps the rails out of shape and alignment effectively putting the furnace out of commission;- and that leads the cooling agent first intothe base of the rails where the heat is the most intense and then into the tread portion.

lViththese and otherends in View, I illus trate in the accompanying drawings such instances of adaptation as will disclose the broad underiying features ofmy invention without limiting myself to the specific details shown thereon and described herein.

Figure 1 is a broken plan view of'such a soaking pit structure, three ofthe pits, or heating chambers, of which are illustrated, the cover for the central pit being partially removed from its closed position. Figure 2' is a section taken at the lines 2 on Figs. 1' and 3. Figure 3 is atransverse section taken at the lines 3 on Figs. 1 and 2'showing the pits closed. Figure d is a side elevation of one of the central rails with certain portions thereof broken away. Figure 5 is a plan view-of the structure shown in Fig. 4-. Figure 6 is a section taken at the line 6 on Fig; 5. Figure 7 is a broken section taken at the line 7 on Fig. 5. Figure 8 is a broken section, taken at the line 8 on Fig. 5. F igure 9 is a view in side elevation of a modification of the rail structure shown in the preceding figures. Figure l0-is an enlarged section taken at the line 10' on Figs. 9 and 11. Figure 11 is abroken section taken through one end of the rail-structure at the line 11 on Fig. 10. Figure 12 is a similar view taken; through the opposite end of the rail structure at the line 11- on 10. Figure 13 is a broken plan view of the end portion ofthe rail shown in Fig. 12. Figure 14- is a plan sectional View at the end of the rail structure shown in Figs. 12 and 13, this View being taken at the line 14: on Fig. 10. Figure 15 is an end view of still another form in which the rail-structure may be provided. Figure 16 is a broken section taken at the line 1616- on Fig. 15. Figure 17 is a; section taken at the line 17 on Fig. 16'; and Figure 18, abroken section taken at the irregular line l8--1-8 on Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is an outlineperspective of' the furnace walls with the track structure removed.

The furnace exemplified in the drawings comprises a series of soakingpits 20 having their upper ends open as shown and being heated from the combustion chambers 21 communicatin therewith and arranged at opposite ends of the pits 20, in accordance with common practice,- the side-walls of the soaking-pits extending above the roofs of the chambers 21. Each soaking-pit is provided at its upper open end with a removable cover 23. These covers are supported for movement into and out of closure-position, by wheels 22 j'ournaled thereon which wheels roll on the track-structure hereinafter described.

The rails or truclestructure and 57 shown in Figs. 1' to S inclusive include the central unitary hollow rails represented at 24 located between adjacent pits. Each unit has two rail members on which the wheelsof two adjacent cover-s23 roll. This rail-structure is: formed of a. channelfmem:

her presenting a bottomplate portion 25 Fig. 6 and sidewall-forming flanges 26, oppositely turned angle-bars 2 the horizontal flanges 28 of which are welded, or otherwise suitably connected, to the upper edges of the flanges 26, and the vertical flanges 27 which extend upwardly in spaced apart re lation. A horizontal transverse member 29 located between the wall-forming flanges 27 comprises a plate-portion 30 and upwardly extending flanges 31. End plates 32 and 32 Figs. 4 and 5 are secured to the channel-members and. angle bars referred to. Lengthwise bars 33 are placed between the flanges 27 and 31 so as to rest against the upper surface of the bottom plate 25, the parts described being secured together by screws 34 extending through the bottomplate 25 and into the bars 33. Rivets extend through the flanges 27 and 31 and the bars 33, while the rivets '36 pass through these flanges and rail tread or spacing bars 38 located between the flanges 2'7 and 31 at their upper edge. Screws 37 pass through the flanges 26 and are threaded into the reinforcing bars 33. The bars 33 fit against the end plate 32 at the front end of the structure Fig. 7 but extend short of the plate 32 at the opposite end Fig. 8. The structure thus described comprises two parallel side-compartments, or passages, 39 and 40, an intermediate compartment, or passage, 41, and two upper compartments, or passages, 42 and 43, these various compartments, or passages, are all in parallel relation and are in communication with each other only at the rear end of the rail structure by the spacing of the bars 33 from the endplate 32" as shown in Fig. 8. The compartments, or passages, thus provided are intended for the circulation therethrough of a cooling medium, as for example water, which is admitted to the side-compartments, or passages, 39 and 40 through pipes 44 and 45 at the front end of the structure, Fig. 5, the bars 33 containing openings 46 at their forward ends to provide intercommunication between the compartments, or passages, 39, 40 and 41 at this end of the structure. The outlets for the water are represented at 47 and 4S and communicate with the colm aartments, or passages, 42 and 43 at the front end of the structure. Thus water isfirst admitted to the base of the rail-structure where the heat is most intense and is then caused to flow rearwardly through the compartments, or passages, 39, 40 and 41 Fig. 6 thence upwardly into the compartments, or passages, 42 and 43, and thence forwardly to the outlets 47 and 48 Fi 5. The structure thus provided presents a water-cooled base-portion, represented generally at 49, Fig. 3, which includesthe compartments, or passages, 39, 40 and 41. Integrally formed with the base is the spaced-apart water-cooled rail- .forming portions, represented generally at 50, Fig. 3, upon which the wheels 22 of the cover travel.

The rail-structures 24 are disposed directly three times that of the cover 23, and extend substantially equal distances beyond the soaking its, Fig. 2, resting at their extreme ends on girders 52 supported on the walls of the combustion chambers 21, with transverse tie-plates 53 joining a pair of rails which are secured to the plates 53 by means of bolts 54 passing through these plates and through tubes 55 Fig. 6, positioned in the base-portions of the twin railstructures adjacent their marginal edges as instanced in Fig. 5,

A single unitary rail-structure is used along the outer edges of the side-walls of the end soaking pits, the one shown in Fig. 3 being represented at156. It is of the same general construction as the rail-structure 24 except as modified to present a single railportion 57 instead of a plurality. It projects upward from a base-portion 58, similar to the twin rail-structure shown in Figs. 3 and 6. I i

The parts of the structure described are so proportioned and arranged that the edge portions-of the covers overlap the adjacent base-portions of the rail structures as shown in Fig. 3, with a slight clearance, as shown, between the covers and the plates 28. The desired seal against escape of gases and flames at these points is eifected in any desirable way, as for example by applying sand or loam about the marginal edges of the covers, as represented at 59. In assembling the related parts ofthe structure the unitary water-cooled rails are so positioned as to allow for upward expansion of the walls of the soaking pits without changing the vertical and horizontal alignment of the rails.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that by providing for the circulation of the cooling fluid through the railstructures as hereinbefore described, and especially where they are formed of relatively thin metal plates, not only the railportions, but the base portions, of these structures are maintained substantially and uniformly cool and to such a degree that warping of the rail-structures is prevented and thus danger of leakage of gas and flames from the soaking pits at the joints between the covers and the bases of the rail-structures is reduced to the minimum, and the covers-may be positioned to extend very close to the upper surfaces of such base portions without danger of the covers rubbing them. Furthermore, in asmuch as the rail-structures do not rely for their support on the sidewalls of the soaking pits, but are independently supported and extend continuously from end to end beyond the soaking pits, the sagging of the walls of the pits have no effect on the rail-structures, and thus the objection presented by structures wherein the rails are provided in sections with the sections directl above the soaking pit supported by the soaking pit directly, and which cause the central sections to sag away from the end sections, or where the furnace walls expand upwardly to raise away from the end, sections and present obstruction to the rolling of the covers, is overcome.

Another point in connection with the maintaining of the rail and-base portions of the rail-structures at substantially the same temperature is that these parts do notnnequally expand thus the distance of the covers from the upper surfaces of these base-portions which they overlap, does not vary which, is of great advantage in connection with the maintaining of the desired sealing joint.

The modification of the rail-structure shown in Figs. 9 to 14: inclusive is particularly adapted for furnace structures wherein the soaking pits are spacedclosely together. In this form the structure C0111- prises a. pair of U-bars 6O spaced apart and arranged on edge with their flanges 61 extending inwardly, a base-plate 62- united with the lower flanges of the bars 60, an inverted channel: member 63, the depending flanges 6% of which carry horizontal flangeextension which are united at their edges with the inner edges of the upper flanges of the bars 60, an I-bar 66 located centrally of the hollow member formed. of; the parts 60, 62 and: 63 and forming a partition which divides the space in which it is located, into two compartments, or passages, 67 and 68, and end plates 69 and 70 closing the ends of this hollow member, the bar 66 being held in place by angle plates 71 connected with this bar and with the end plates, the bar 66 adjacent its rear end containing an opening 72 affording intercomniunication between the compartments, or passages, 67 and 68 which form channels for the circulation of a cooling medium. The compartment, or-pa s sage, 67 contains at its front end, an inlet T8 for cooling water and the adjacent end of the compartment, or passage, 68 contains an outlet for the water, thisv outlet being a pipe 7%. which extends upwa-r lly in the corn;-

partment, or passage, 68 and terminates at its upper entremityclosely adjacent the top ofthe compartment, or passage, 68, the ar rangement as. described providing for the elfectivecirculation of water and in-a'coursc to maintain all. parts of the rail-structure at substantially uniform, cool, temperature.

The upper portion .of the U-member 63, which is preferably provided with a metal plate 63 to resist wear, forms the rail portion of? the rail-structure which preferably is of such width as to accommodate wheels at both lateral edges thereof.

The rail-structure now being described is adapted to be supported at points beyond the soaking pits and independently of th walls of the pits, as explained of the structure of the preceding drawings, the ends of the rail-structure being provided with blocks 74 at their ends which fit into recesses 75 in brackets 76 provided for mounting it on the outer Walls of the furnacechambers 21, those walls shown at the extreme ends of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, bolts 7 7 securing these rail-structures to the brackets, which also have heads 78 at their upper surfaces, and which form abutmentsfor the wheels of the covers, bolted to the brackets at 79.

The structure shown in Figs. 15 to 1:8 inclusive, provided more especially in connection ,with furnace structures wherein the cover-equipped chambers are spaced apartsubstantially as shown in 3, comprises a. lower sheet plate 80, angle-bars 81 secured at their horizontal flanges 81 to the plate 80, as by rivets 81 angle-bars 82, secured at their horizontal flanges 83 to the vertical flanges 84: of the bars 81, oppositely-turned angle-bars 85 and 85 located between the vertical flanges 86' of the bars 82 with their vertical flanges 87 spaced from the flanges 86, a plate 88 underlying the undersides of the horizontal flanges 83 of the barsl82 and the horizontal flanges of the bars 85 and 85*, bars 90 located between'the flanges 86 and 87 at their upper edges and secured theretoby: rivets 91 end plates 92 and-:93 closing the ends of the hollow structure thus produced, and Z-bars 94 and 95, and a channel bar 96 located within the base portion of this hollow structure. The Z-bar 94tbears at its lower flange 97 upon the upper surface or the plate 80 and at its upper flange 98 against the underside of the-plate, 88, being secured in position by rivets 99 and 100, the rivets 100 extending through the flan 'e 98, plate 88 and adjacent flanges 83. The web 101 of the bar 94 is located to the left of the space between, the flanges 86 and 87 at the. left side ,of this figure. The bar 95 bears at its lower flangelOQ upon the upper surface of the plate 80 and at its upper flange 103 against the underside of the plate 88, being secured inpositionby 1 rivets 104 and 105, the rivets 105 extending through the flange 103, plate 88 and adjacent flange 83. The web 106 of the bar 95 is located to the right of the space between the flanges 86 and 87 at the right side of this figure. The bar 96, set on edge as shown, is located substantially midway between the bars 94 and 95 and is riveted at its upper and lower flanges to the plate 80 and the underside of the plate 88, as represented at 96 and 96", the rivets 96 extending through the upper flange of this bar, the plate 88 and one of the horizontal flanges of the bar 85. The horizontal flange of the bar 85 is riveted at 85 to the plate 88. The use of the name plate in this description associated with enclosing walls refers to thin sheet metal in contra-distinction to thick castiron walls. These thin sheets are shown at 80 and 88 of Fig. 1'7 where they are riveted to the internal Z bars 101 and 106 and the channels 96. In Figures 1 to S inclusive the walls of the composite rails are shown formed of thin metal sheets which may be welded, or are otherwise suitably connected.

The structure thus provided presents a series of four substantially parallel compartments, or passages, 107, 108, 109 and 110 in its hollow base-portion represented generally at 111, and a series of two compartments, or passages, 112 and 113 in the portion of the structure superposing the base-portion and forming spaced apart railportions represented generally at 11st and 115. The bars 9 1, 95 and 96 reach short of both ends of the hollow structure thus provided and the plate 88 which extends from end to end of the structure contains apertures 116 and 117 in its rear end providing communication between the compartments, or passages in the base-portion 111 and the compartments, or passages, 112 and 113. The partitioned base-portion 111 contains inlets 118 at its front end for a cooling medium, and outlets 119 from the compartments 112 and 113 at the same end, the cooling fluid circulating rearwardly through the compartments 107, 108, 109 and 110 and then forwardly through the compartments 112 and 113 as will be readily understood and maintaining the railstructure at a sub stantially uniform, cool, temperature. The disposition of the rail-structuresnow being described, relative to the soaking pits. would be the same as the rail-structures of Figsal to 8, inclusive, and would operate to the same advantage as that above explained.

In Fig. 2 the continuous track rail 50 is shown behind the cover 23 by means of a dotted line. These double track rails 50 and the single rails 57 are supported on base plates 53 which rest on the single I beams 52 placed at the outer ends of the rails 50 and on a pair of channels 52' placed respectively near the front and rear edges of the soaking pit 20. The rails 50 and 57 are supported on the cross I beams 52.

In order that the rail structure will be free from the extreme heat of the furnace so that its alignment will be maintained, it is supported free from the furnace walls on any desired form of structural iron supports 52 and 52. These supports may be single I beams, back to back channels etc., etc., as the exigencies of varying conditions may demand. The relatively cool pit walls are recessed at the corners 0 (Fig. 19), and midway at d, in which the supports 52 are positioned. The supports 52 under the channels 52 at the two sides of the ,furnace are placed in recesses a and the central supports 52 are placed in vertical openings 6. Between the two soaking pits a lengthwise channel 51 is formed along the upper face of the furnace in which the double rails are positioned while they are supported by the cross members 52, 52 and the supports 52 and 52 The single rails 57 are similarly supported while they are positioned in the side recesses 51' formed parallel to the channel 51. If desired, the walls of the pits 21 may be reinforced by tie rods passing through openings 6, quite independently of the track structure and its supports. The modified rails 63 are of suflicient stiffness to be supported only at their ends, and they may rest on the cool outer wall of the pits 21 or on cross I beams 52 and the supports 52 similar to the rails 50 and 57. In any event it will be seen that the rail structure and its supports are quite independent of the furnace walls. By reason of this outstanding feature the tracks are protected from the intense heat of the furnace.

While I have illustrated and described certain particular, embodiments of my invention I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered and the invention embodies in other forms of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention.

' What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: A

r 1. In soaking pits, a heat storage chamber, means for supplying heat thereto, a removable cover for the chamber, a hollow rail comprising a rail tread and a base, a pair of such rails being positioned along each of the side walls of the chamber, rolling supporting means for the cover movable on said rails, and means for admitting a cooling agent into the base first and thereafter into the tread portion of the rail.

2. In soaking pits, a heat enclosing chamber open at the top, a laterally moving cover for the same, wheel supports for the cover, unitary rails for the wheels comprising a v chamber,

hollow rail tread having sheet metal sides and a hollow base with sheet metal walls, said base extending lengthwise of the rails and projecting beneath the cover, and means for directing a cooling medium into contact with the inside of the rails.

3. In soaking pits, a hollow rail comprising a rail tread and a base extending sidewise from the tread portion and secured to the same, and means within the tread and base for directing the movement of a cooling agent from one to the other.

4. In soaking pits, a heat storage chamber open at the top comprising side walls, a hollow rail comprising a rail tread and a base positioned along each edge of the chamber, means for supporting the rail structure independently of the chamber walls, a removable cover positioned above the open top of the chamber, wheeled supports for the cover traversable on the rail structure, and means for circulating a cooling medium in the hollow rail treads.

5. In soaking pits, enclosing walls having an opening at the top, a pair of rails positioned along two sides of the open top, a wheeled cover movable on the rails, said rails comprising sheet metal walls which enclose a laterally extending base compartment and a separate vertically extending tread compartment supported on the base, both compartments being hollow, and means for circulating a cooling agent in the compartment.

6. In soaking pits,

a heat enclosing chamber open at the top,

a rail comprising a hollow rail tread and a hollow base positioned adjacent the upper face of the chamber, a water connection between the hollow base and the hollow rail tread, a support for a plurality of rails isolated from the walls of the chamber, a removable cover for the means comprising supporting wheels traversable 011 the rails for shifting the cover with its under face in close contact with the upper face of the hollow widened base, whereby the alignment between the cover and such base is maintained regardless of changes in the chamber walls, means for directing a cooling medium within the hollow base and the hollow rail tread, and means for sealing off the space between the cover and base to prevent the exit of inflammable gases.

FRANK J. WERNER. 

